Schoolchildren in Northern Ireland will be the first in the UK to get to see the 2017 Randox Health Grand National trophy, when the new sponsor takes it on a schools tour.

A visit to Crumlin Integrated College in the town where the global diagnostics company is based will kick off the tour, which marks the first time in the history of the race that the Grand National trophy has visited Northern Ireland.

Today marks the first day of the four-day schools tour across the country with the trophy, which was unveiled last week by Sir Anthony McCoy and Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, at the Randox Health Grand National Weights Evening Reception.

With the trophy due to make an appearance at schools in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Omagh and Antrim, including St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, the primary school attended by Sir Anthony McCoy, children across Northern Ireland will learn more about the company’s message of preventive health and also be offered the opportunity to take a trophy selfie!

Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, commented;

“We are very proud of our roots and the support of people in Northern Ireland has played a significant part in our global success. This is an opportunity to share the excitement of the build-up of the Randox Health Grand National with children here, and also importantly to help spread the message of preventive health.

“No other race is as popular as this so it is rightfully called The People’s Race. It is our commitment to improving the health of people right across the world that led to this sponsorship. We hope that as a result people will learn about a more proactive and positive way to stay healthy and enjoy the magical moments that life gives us.”

Lynda McGarry, Principal of Crumlin Integrated College, welcomed the tour and the visit to the Crumlin school, which is also hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach;

“We are absolutely thrilled that the children of each of our schools in Crumlin will be able to see the Randox Health Grand National Trophy up close and personal.  Horse racing is such a popular sport in Northern Ireland and so many of our pupils watch the Grand National at home with their families. To be able to share in the excitement leading up to the race is a fantastic opportunity for them and they are all looking forward to watching the race in April and finding out who will win the trophy that visited our school.

“We’re grateful to Randox for providing our pupils with such a special experience that they will remember for a very long time, and are very proud that the company, which is just down the road from us, is partnering with the world’s greatest race, and that Dr. FitzGerald chose Crumlin Integrated College to be the first school to see this special trophy.

“We are delighted that our Head Boy Brian Savage was able to unveil the trophy at our special assembly in front of a packed hall of pupils, staff and invited guests including politicians from all of the main parties.”

The Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland comes after an announcement that for the first time ever, the title partner of the Randox Health Grand National will create a different winner’s trophy for each of the 5 years of its sponsorship, and each member of the winning team – owner, trainer, jockey groom – will receive their own version.

The schedule for the Randox Health Grand National 2017 Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland is as follows:

Tuesday 21st February

0915 – 0945 Crumlin Integrated College – hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach

1130 -1200 – Oakwood Special Needs School

1215 – 1245 – Victoria College Primary School

1335 – 1405 – Ashfield Boys High School

Wednesday 22nd February

0915 – 0945 – Antrim Grammar

1010 – 1040 – St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School **(AP McCoy’s Primary School)

1220 – 1250 – Dalriada Grammar School

1315 – 1345 – Bushmills Primary School

1405 – 1435 – North Coast Integrated College

Thursday 23rd February

0915 – 0945- Templepatrick Primary School

1000 – 1030- Loanends Primary School

1105 – 1135 – Wallace High School

Thursday afternoon – Randox Health Holywood Clinic

Friday 24th February

0930 – 1000 – Royal School Armagh

1200 – 1230 – Omagh Academy

1315 – 1345 – Strabane Academy

1430 – 1500 – St Cecilia’s College

For more information about the 2017 Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland please contact Randox PR on 028 9445 1016 or email RandoxPR@randox.com